Has it been a month already? Time sure flies. I have been back to work for a month and everyone is adjusting well to the new schedule. The Boys have joined Devon at Miss Elaine's daycare and seem to really enjoy it. Miss Elaine says the boys are the best behaved in the place, Devon is another story. She is definitely acting like a two year old.

Sydney and Branagh went to East Coast Championship horse show in Lexington VA. Branagh won Champion for her division and Sydney finished with a top 5. We are so proud of them both. They are off to camp in North East Maryland on 8/16 and then school starts on 8/31. Jeff has been busy keeping up with the farm. All the rain dances he has learned have not helped at all. It is still very dry here and we are thankful for Irrigation.

Travis is scheduled for Dental Surgery on 8/24 so please keep him in your prayers. We are excited to finally get his teeth fixed. They are very decayed and we are sure he is in constant pain. Travis has not gained weight as fast as Blake and we are hopeful this will help. Both boys weigh a little over 26lbs and look so much healthier. They love to be outside and have a great tan. I will post more pictures soon. Love to all, J&J

Happy 4th of July...

Hello everyone,
I realize that I have been falling down on my "blogging" responsibility. Things have been very busy but everyone seems to have adjusted to our new state of controlled (and sometimes not controlled) chaos. The boys are doing well and are really enjoying having their big sisters at home. Blake has grown 2 inches and gained 2.5 lbs since the beginning of May. Travis has grown 1 inch and gained 1 .5 lbs. They still have a lot of catching up to do but are off to a good start. Unfortunately, my leave time is coming to an end. I have to return to work next Monday so we have begun yet another adjustment period. They started daycare this week with Devon at Miss Elaine's. The did well the first day but only stayed until lunch time. Today they will stay through nap and we will see how that goes.

The farm has been so crazy. Poor Jeff has been leaving for work at 5am and not returning some nights until after 9pm. He is trying to catch up now that the weather is cooperating somewhat. The big girls have been my saving grace. They are growing up so fast. We are leaving for the Region 15 championship Horse show this Thursday. Both are showing in 2 classes and are really excited. I love the time alone with them but dread leaving the little guys behind.
Hope everyone enjoys the 4th of July Holiday. J&J

Summer update...

Hello all from Chaos grand central,
Summer is finally here. Both older girls are now done school for the summer. They both did well and are ready to move on to 8th and 6th grade. Somehow it does not seem possible that they are both in Middle school. We will start looking at High Schools for Sydney in the Fall. WOW, where are our two little girls.

We are heading off on Wednesday to Lexington VA for a horse show with the two older girls. Branagh will ride Saddle Seat this year. It will be a little different for her but she looks great so far. She will ride Mr. Holland LOA (the horse Syd showed last year). Sydney also shows saddle seat but they are in different age groups still this year. Syd will show X Factor, a new horse we purchased this winter. He is working well for her so far. I will be sure to post pictures when I can.

Devon is doing well and is getting very proficient at expressing herself. She told me this morning that I was using Nina's cup. She is definitely acting her age and expressing herself and her opinion at every opportunity.

The boys are doing better everyday. We are still working on attachment issues which are foreign to all of us. The social worker gave us some great tips and assured us it just takes time. Travis needs some pretty extensive dental work and will have to go the the Operating Room at AI Dupont to have it all completed. WE are still working through some medical issues but so far no major surprises. Blake is doing really well with his glasses and his eye is improving already. He leaves them alone for the most part except for the day he thought they needed to be cleaned and placed them in the kitchen sink. Took me a while to find them (only after tearing the car, yard, living room apart looking for them).

I will update soon best wishes to all....... J&J

Hello all,
SO sorry it has been so long since made a post. We are doing very well with our new family. Sydney and Branagh are almost done school for the year and we are all looking forward to summer vacation and a slightly slower pace. Travis is doing great. He is inquisitive and does not miss a thing. He can sing the alphabet and count to 5 in English. We are working on shapes and colors and he is a fast learner. He speaks about 75% English but still rambles in Russian on occasion. Blake is doing great with his english as well. He has come into his own and shows it with temper tantrums. Devon is still the queen B but really enjoys playing with her "brodders" and bossing them around. Here are some new pictures. Enjoy!! J&J

We are still alive!!!! We are sorry that the blog has not been updated in awhile but we have been kinda busy enjoying life and getting it done!! When we hit the 3 and under group goes to bed we are ready but then we have the 11 and over group to assist. Then try to recover the house.

This week has been much better. Everyone in the Allen household is getting a routine established. Seems kinda hectic but so far it has been fun.

The boys are understanding us as well as we are understanding them more each day. Who know are Russian tutor would be 3 years old.

Jodi has spent alot of time with the boys and it is showing. We (especially Jodi and Branagh) are constantly told I love you.

The farm seems to be a hit for the boys. the other day I was planting corn across from the house and Travis went ballistic. Climbed out of his car seat and yelled MACHINA!!! The three and under group took turns cutting grass and washing cars today.

Hard to believe but we have celebrated Devon's 2nd birthday!! She is in love with her brothers and has to give them kisses and hugs before going to bed.

Where would we be without the older girls??? They have been a great help and have proven to be as special as we know they were.

We appreciate everyone being patient with the visits. It seems like the boys do well outside or with short visits from friends. Just makes it hard to have everyone at once.

Thanks to all those that have made the phone calls, sent cards and e-mails. The supports has meant alot to us.

Hope to get some new pictures up soon. There are just so many to choose from.

Love YA

J and J plus 5

Hello from Delaware..

Hello to all,
Sorry it has been a few days since the last post but things have been so busy. We are trying desperately to establish some new routines. They boys are doing really well and even experienced thier first shopping trip to Target. It was short but they did really well. We also went to get some desperately needed new shoes. They were both troopers. Mommom Marge went as back up and support for Jodi "just in case".

The girls are feeling thier way around the new form of "busy" that fills our home. We are counting down the days until school is out and we can all relax a little more. Devon was probably the hardest hit but now wants to hug her "brodders". They are not to sure about that but she does not give them much choice. She is still the queen bee and as Branagh says "have you ever heard of a king bee??".

Thanks for all the calls and support. We are slowly inviting visitors and really appreciate your patience. Any disruption in routine right now is felt by all but we promise to welcome you all in time. I will try to post some new pictures when I can stay awake long enough to get everything done. Lots and love, J&J

First Day Was Good

Well the first day was good. Jodi and I have been up since 4 discussing about today and the upcoming week. Jodi has always had the theory Schedule Routine for the kids and she it right it makes the Allen Household better.

Devon was a little surprised when she woke up yesterday to find what that the "brother fairy" had been. She was so excited to see that her Mommy and Daddy where home.

Nina made breakfast and Mom Mom made dinner, they are spoiling us. Like the maid service and especially the cost, lol.

The boys and girls played hard all day, including the big girls. They enjoyed being outside and loved the farm. Both boys loved the horses and took their first ride. Any sponsors for the Allen Equestrian Team?

We appreciate all the phone calls.

I think the washer has run non stop for the last 24 hours but the end is in sight, YEAH!!

Maybe Jodi will get a minute to post some pictures today. Nap time was enjoyed by all yesterday.

More to come later

J and J